Dispenser with slitted resilient diaphragm



A. HAMMERSTEIN 2,473,707

DISPENSER WITH SLITTED RESILIENT DIAPHRAGM Filed Sept. 14, 1945 June 21, 1949.

ARTHUR HAMMERJTE/N, lNVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented June 21, 1949 UNITED STATE ATENT OFFICE DISPENSER WITH SLITTED RESILIENT DIAPHRAGM v 1 Claim. 1

The invention relates to dispensing devices and more particularly to devices for dispensing comminuted materials as exemplified by sugar, salt,

pepper, and the like from containers.

The invention has for its object to provide a novel device whereby the comminuted materials "may be dispensed in an accurately-controlled manner and with maximum efficiency from a container.

The invention contemplates further the provision of a novel dispensing device which constitutes an eflicient closure for the container with which it is combined and whereby the contents of said container **against the effects of atmospheric changes and are adequately protected against contamination.-

normally are hermetically sealed Another object of the invention is to provide a novel dispensing device which is germ-proof and which is readily cleaned and maintained in a sanitary condition.

In addition, the invention has for its object to provide a novel dispensing device which, in op- 'eration, develops an expelling force on the comminuted material whereby clogging, even during "moist, atmospheric conditions, is prevented.

Other objects will appear from the description hereinafter, and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claim.

itappea'rs during a dispensing period;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on' the line I4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the resilient controlm'eans forming part of the dispensing device. As shown in the illustrated example, the novel glass, or plastics, or any other suitable materials. The outer open end of the body Ill is provided with an annular inwardly-directed flange II and with an internal shoulder I2 at a distance axially inwardly from the flange II as shown in Fig. 1. At its opposite end, the body I0 includes an andispensing device comprises an enclosing member v consisting of a preferably cylindrical body In of any convenient dimensions and made of metal,

nular axially-directed flange I3 which terminates at an inwardly-directed annular shoulder I4 as illustrated in Fig. 1. In close proximity to the annular flange I I, the body I0 is provided with openings I5 extending through the wall of said body I!) at diametrically opposite points for the accommodation of manually operable plungers I6 which normally project outwardly beyond said body through said openings and, at their inner ends, are provided with annular collars |'I-the inner surfaces of which preferably are located in registry' with the inner annular surface of the flange II.

The control means, whereby the dispensing of the comminuted material is controlled, comprises a hollow resilient controlling member I8 having its outer end closed and provided with a slit I9 which, because of the inherent resiliency of the member I8, is maintained in a normally closed condition to thereby seal the container with which the dispensing device is combined. The resilient member I8, at its inner end, includes an annular hollow base section 20 fitted beneath the internal shoulder I2 and of a diameter to snugly flt the body It beneath said shoulder l2-said section having its inner end face preferably located flush with the shoulder I4. From the section 2!), the resilient member I8 extends in the form of a hollow, cylindrical control section 2| preferably comprising an integral part of the inner end section 20 and dimensioned relatively to the body III to form an internal annular space 22 between said section 2| and the inner surface of the body I!) as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. The base section 20 primarily serves to fix the control section 2| in place and prevents its removal from the body I0, and has no other, function.

In the assembled normal condition of the device, the collars ll of the plungers I6 are located in surface engagement with the section 2I of the resilient member I8 with said plungers I6 projecting outwardly through the openings I5 and beyond the outer surface of the body II) as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

In practice, the novel dispensing device is combined with a cooperating container which, as shown, may consist of a body 23 provided at its open end. with an axially projecting'flange 24 dimensioned to form a horizontal external shoulder 25 at a distance from said open end of the container 23. The novel dispensing device is combined with this container preferably by forcing the axial flange I3 thereof over the axial flange 24 of the container 23 with the shoulder I4 in engagement with the end surface of the container flange 24 and the end face of the flange I3 in contact with the horizontal shoulder 25 of said body 23'. In the preferred arrangement, the parts are so dimensioned that the flange I3 will fit over the flange 24 frictionally to a degree suflicient to efficiently maintain the dispensing device in operative associate combination with the container 23. Obviously, other types of connecting means for combining the novel dispensing device in associated operative relation with the container may be substituted if desired. In any case, in the assembled condition, the control means or specifically the interior of theresilient member I8 is in open communication with theinterior of the container 23.

In actual use, the comminuted material maybe introduced into the container 23t eithertprior to the combination of the dispensing devicerfthere with or by first removing said device from said container to enable this to be done When it is desired to utilize-thernovel. device for dispensing the comminuted material from the container 23, the latter is held in an'invertedpo sition, and inward pressure is exerted upon the plungers [6, for instance; by thethumb. and forefinger of the user to therebyj resiliently.deform the section 2! of the resilient member [8 inwardly. This inward deformation of the resilient member it; by the inward action of the plungerszl 6 spreads the opposite surfaces of the-slit leapart' and opens said slit Hi to convert it into a discharge opening as shown in Fig. 3, through which arpredeterminedamount of the comminuted contents may be dispensed. That is to say by thus opens. ing the slit l9 and inverting the'container23, the salt or other contents will at once starttoflow, without requiring any other-manipulationsuch as shakingthe container. By manipulatingv the thumb and forefiinger in a manner to regulate the pressure'of the plungers lBinwardly andto thereby control the extent of opening of said slit to a greater or lesser degree, the amount of flow-may be efficiently regulated. In any case,--the salt or other material is directed toward. and. confined to a given point of the object to be covered. This avoids sprinkling the salt or-its equivalent indiscriminately, for instance, over aplate as is generally the casewith .-oonventional\ dispensing devices which-require to be-shakena After th desired quantity of salt or other comminuted material has been dischargedfrom. the container, pressure of the thumb. and forefinger of the user is removed from the plungers It to permit the resilientmember l8tto resume its normal expanded condition by th'eactionof its inherent resiliency and coincidentally to force the plungers l8 .outwardly to: the normalpositions shown in Fig. 1.v This return ofrthe'resilient member [8 to itsnormal. position alsoautomati' cally restores the-slit l9 .to-its closed position in which the container 23 .ishermetically. sealed, and the contents thereof are .adequatelyprotected against the effects of the atmosphere and from contamination from other sources...

It will be noted that the .controllingmeansor, specifically, the resilient member. l8..tliereof. is not subject to contact with thehuman fingers during the expulsion" of the comminutedcontents ithe'resi'lient m ember of the container 23 and, accordingly, is protected against contamination from this source. The contents being expelled are consequently also free from human contact during the expulsion operation, and such contents are, therefore, also not likely to be contaminated.

The novel dispensing device is simple in construction and. may be-..readily combined with the container for' WhiChLit iS designed-Rand has the particular advantage that the essential controlling means is practically enclosed by and contained 'withinthe body I0 of the enclosing member. The resiliency and eifectiveness of the controlling means is thereby maintained for a maximum period.

While thedevice is particularly efiective for dispensing sugar, salt, pepper, and the like, it may be used with equal efiiciency for dispensing other types of comminuted materials. Preferably, l8;as a whole,-is constructed of rubber or other suitableinherently resilient materialitbeing understood; however, that-the use of other materials in its constructionimcombination'with means for providing the-desired resiliency: is I not precluded.

Various changes in thesspeciflc'formshowniand described may be made withinrthe' SCOPE-:Ofrthfi claim without departing from the spiritofethe invention.

A. dispensing device-adapted for communicating connection. with; acontainer. including-t arr/enclosing member. having an open. end and..a.diametrically apertured. side wall, aninwardiyvdi- ,rected annular. flange. at the said:.open .end,; an

outwardly directed.interiorshoulder onsaidanember. imaxially spaced: relation to-saidtflange, a relatively stifi. hollow resilient member positioned within the enclosing member.-in side wallspaced relation-therewith. anenlarged external. base on said member. fitted. beneath said shoulder. and snugly engagingthe. enclosing member. toohold the resilient member'therein an outer.end-wall oftth'e resilient member havinga normally .closed slit in registerwith the open..endjof..;the.enolosing member, separate. opposed plungers. slidably mounted through the .aperturesirr. theesidehwall of the enclosing. member fol-deforming. theaesilient member to .open. the slit,. and 'coll'arsomthe inner ends of said'plungers positioned between the spaced side walls. of saidmemberss ARTHUR HAMMER-STEIN.

REFERENCES CITED" The following references 1 arerof' record-.rimthe file of .this l patent UNITED STATES PATENTS" 

